Controller for a fluorescent lamp

Abstract

A controller for a fluorescent lamp comprises a toggle arrangement adapted to turn the lamp on, in response to a user performing an on-off-on power toggle, wherein the on-off-on power toggle comprises a first on-period, during which the controller prevents the lamp from being turned on.

1 . A controller ( 10 ) for a fluorescent lamp ( 20 ) comprising:
 a toggle arrangement ( 12 , 16 ) adapted to turn the lamp ( 10 ) on, in response to a user performing an on-off-on power toggle,   wherein the on-off-on power toggle comprises a first on-period, during which the controller ( 10 ) prevents the lamp ( 20 ) from being turned on   wherein the controller ( 10 ) has two terminals, and   wherein two terminals ( 21 ,  22 ) of the lamp ( 20 ), which are provided at opposite ends of the lamp ( 20 ), are connected to the terminals of the controller ( 10 ).   
     
     
         2 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the on-off-on power toggle comprises an off-period, which is limited by a timer ( 16 ). 
     
     
         3 . The controller ( 10 ) of  claim 2 , suitable for use in a unit ( 100 ) comprising the controller ( 10 ) connected to a fluorescent lamp ( 20 ), the unit ( 100 ) being connected to a user-operable power switch ( 1 ,  2 ), wherein the toggle arrangement ( 12 , 16 ) comprises:
 the timer ( 16 ), which is activated in response to the power switch ( 1 ,  2 ) being opened, and   a main switch ( 12 ) which is adapted to close, causing the lamp ( 20 ) to turn on, in response to the power switch ( 1 ,  2 ) being closed while the timer ( 16 ) is active.   
     
     
         4 . The controller ( 10 ) of  claim 2 , suitable for use in a unit ( 100 ) comprising the controller ( 10 ) connected to a fluorescent lamp ( 20 ), the unit ( 100 ) being connected to a user-operable power switch ( 1 ,  2 ), wherein the toggle arrangement ( 12 , 14 , 16 ) comprises:
 an auxiliary switch ( 14 ) which is adapted to close in response to the power switch being initially closed;   the timer ( 16 ), which is activated in response to the power switch being opened while the auxiliary switch ( 14 ) is in a closed position; and   a main switch ( 12 ) which is closed while the timer ( 16 ) is active,   wherein the lamp ( 20 ) is turned on in response to the power switch ( 1 , 2 ) being closed while the main switch ( 12 ) is in a closed position, and   wherein the main switch ( 12 ) remains closed while the lamp ( 20 ) is on.   
     
     
         5 . The controller of  claim 4 , wherein a timing capacitor (C 3 ) is charged when the auxiliary switch ( 14 ) is in a closed position, such that when the auxiliary switch ( 14 ) is opened, a charge on the timing capacitor (C 3 ) causes the timer ( 16 ) to be active, and causes the main switch ( 12 ) to be closed. 
     
     
         6 . The controller of  claim 5 , wherein the timing capacitor (C 3 ) is connected to ground via a discharge resistor (R 9 ), and the timing capacitor (C 3 ) and resistor (R 9 ) determine an active period of the timer. 
     
     
         7 . The controller of  claim 2 , wherein the timer ( 16 ) remains active for a period of at least 0.01 seconds, and/or wherein the timer ( 16 ) remains active for a period of less than 10 seconds. 
     
     
         8 . A fluorescent lighting system comprising the controller ( 10 ) of the preceding claims, and further comprising:
 a first fluorescent lamp ( 20 ) and a second fluorescent lamp ( 40 ), and   a user-operable power switch ( 1   a ),   wherein the controller ( 10 ) and first lamp ( 20 ) are connected to form a unit ( 100 ), and   wherein the unit ( 100 ) is connected in parallel to the second lamp ( 40 ), and   wherein the unit ( 100 ) and second lamp ( 40 ) are connected to the power switch ( 1   a ), such that the second fluorescent lamp is on while the power switch ( 1   a ) is closed.   
     
     
         9 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The controller of  claim 3 , wherein the timer ( 16 ) remains active for a period of at least 0.01 seconds, and/or wherein the timer ( 16 ) remains active for a period of less than 10 seconds. 
     
     
         12 . The controller of  claim 4 , wherein the timer ( 16 ) remains active for a period of at least 0.01 seconds, and/or wherein the timer ( 16 ) remains active for a period of less than 10 seconds. 
     
     
         13 . The controller of  claim 5  wherein the timer ( 16 ) remains active for a period of at least 0.01 seconds, and/or wherein the timer ( 16 ) remains active for a period of less than 10 seconds. 
     
     
         14 . The controller of  claim 6 , wherein the timer ( 16 ) remains active for a period of at least 0.01 seconds, and/or wherein the timer ( 16 ) remains active for a period of less than 10 seconds.